Ep 6. Breaking the Deadlock

In the sixth episode of The First World War, titled "Breaking the Deadlock," we witness the strategic attempts made by both sides of the conflict to break the stalemate that had emerged on the Western Front.

As the war enters its third year, morale on both sides wanes. The war of attrition has proven to be a slow and grueling affair, with neither the Allied nor the Central Powers able to gain significant ground or deal a significant blow to the other. The situation is particularly dire for the Germans, who find themselves faced with a devastating food shortage due to the blockade imposed by the British Navy.

In response, the German High Command turns to a bold new tactic - the use of unrestricted submarine warfare. Under the leadership of Admiral von Holtzendorff, the Germans begin sinking merchant ships without warning, in an attempt to disrupt the flow of supplies to the Allied powers. The move is a risky one, however, as the Americans, who had previously remained neutral, are drawn into the conflict as a result.

Meanwhile, the Allies are also exploring new strategies to end the deadlock. The British launch a major offensive at the Somme, hoping to break through the German lines and advance towards their ultimate objective of taking the city of Bapaume. However, the battle quickly becomes a costly stalemate, with both sides suffering heavy casualties but neither able to gain a decisive advantage.

On the Italian front, things are also not going well for the Allies. The Italian army, led by General Luigi Cadorna, suffers a devastating defeat at the Battle of Caporetto, in which the Central Powers successfully break through their lines and advance deep into Italian territory. The defeat is a major blow to the morale of the Italian army and people, and highlights the importance of the war effort on multiple fronts.

As the episode draws to a close, viewers are left with a sense of the desperate, grinding nature of the conflict that had consumed the world for over three years. The war has become a fight for survival, with both sides struggling to find a way to break the deadlock and score a decisive victory. Despite the introduction of new tactics and technology, the outcome of the war remains uncertain, and the toll it takes on human life and society continues to mount.